Press



Jan. 16, 1923.

F. 8.. SHERMAN.

PRESS.

FILED NOV. 22, 1920-.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Jan. 16, 1923.

1,442,180. F. s. SHERMAN.

PRESS.

' FILED NOV. 22,1920. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Jan. 16, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED S. SHERMAN, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOE I MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF PATERSON, 'NEW JERSEY, A

NEW JERSEY.

CORPORATION OF PRESS.

Application filed November 22, 1320. Serial No. 425,736.

T 0 all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRED S. SHERMAN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State'of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Presses, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification,- like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to presses and more particularly to presses of the type which may be employed in cutting blanks from sheet material by the use of freely movable dies.

A machine of this type which is very commonly employed in cutting sheet. material is known commercially as the clicking achine and comprises characteristically a c tting block having a work supporting surface and a presser member having a pressure applying surface of considerably less area than that ofthe work supporting block and movable So as to be positioned successively for co-operation with different areas of the work supporting surface." It will be understood, that the labor of swing-. ing the presser member, into and out of position over the die may reduce very con siderably the'etficiency of the operator whose attention should be given primarily to planning the cutting operations and positioning the die to secure the utmost economy of n1aterial throughout the cutting operations. The amount of work produced by the aid ofthese machines varies with the individual operator, the output being naturally less toward the end of the working day and especially with machines having extra heavy presser members such as are employed in cut ting thick or dense sheet material or sheet material piled in layers of many thicknesses.

It is an object of this invention to provide improved means for moving the presser member laterally over the work supporting bed which will be especially simple and durable in construction and efficient in operation.

In the illustrative construction the ower means for swinging the presser mem er is treadle-controlled so that the hands of the operator are free for such manipulation of the work and f the dies as may be necessary for rapid inspection of the work and proper positioning of the dies. Preferably the construction is such that the presser member may be moved away from position over the die after a cutting operation simply bydepressing a treadle which controls the power means for swinging the presser member, a second treadle being used in the illus-' trated construction to bring the presser member back toward operative position after the repositioning of the die preliminary to another cutting operation. Since the power means for swinging the beam is under the control of the operator, it may be used merely to start the presser member from a position of rest at one side of the cutting bed, that is, to' overcome its inertia, and thus permit the operator to continue the presser member'in motion toward operative position under directcontrol, a handle being provided for the purpose on the presser member, which is also utilized to initiate a pressure applying operation when the pressier member has'reached a position over the In another aspect the invention resides in .a press having power means for moving the presser memberlaterally over the work supporting bed whichcomprises improved means for disconnectin the power from the presser member w en the. latter has moved beyond a predetermined point toward either side of the work supporting bed. Though disconnected and incapable of applicationl for moving the presser member ber constitutes part of the power means for moving the presser member, cam members being conveniently provided onthe slidable I member for disconnecting the ower which moves the member and member.

Other features and other combinations of through-1t the presserparts will be described in the detailed specification and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is aview in side elevation and partly in section of a press showing one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective and partly in section illustrating the power means for moving one of the presser members of the press; and i Fig. 3 is a detail View of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2. i

In the illustrative machine there is disclosed a work supporting bed 4, which constitutes one of the presser members, and a movable presser member 6 which has a pressure surface of an area considerably less than that of the bed. For this reason the movable presser member is mounted for movement laterally over the bed, being supported by a post 8 to which it is secured and which is rotatable as well as vertically reciprocable in bearings 10 and 12 in the frame 14 of the machine. For reciprocating the post and thereby causing pressure applying operations of the presser member, the sald post is operatively connected by means of a link and eccentric strap 16 to an eccentric on the shaft 18 mounted in the lower portion of the frame of the machine. Carried by the other end of the shaft is a power pulley 20 which runs loosely on the shaft 18 and which isadapted to be connected to the shaft through the operation of the clutch within the housing 22. For controlling the clutch there is provided a lever 24'pivoted at 26 on the upper portion of the C-shaped frame and connected at its rear end by a link 28 to a clutch lever 30. At the front end of the lever 24 is a handle portion 32 operatively connected to a handle 34 vertically slidable on a rod 36 secured to the front end of the presser arm 6. By means of the handle 34, the presser arm 6 may be moved laterally over the work on the bed 4 to position it properly with respectto a die on the work andthen upon depression of the same handle the clutch on the main shaft is operated to connect the power pulley to the shaft and thus cause a reciprocation of the post and presser arm whereby the die is forced throu h the work a nd the presser arm returne to its upper position of rest. The arm is thenswung to one side to uncover the die and is subsequently repositioned over the die in its new location preliminary to another cutting operation. As thus far described the machinein its general aspects is practically the same as that disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 921,503, granted May 11, 1909 on an application ofArthur Bates, to which Letters Patent reference may be had for a more complete description of this type of machine.

While the presser arm 6 may be moved by hand laterally over the work supporting bed 4, power means is provided under the control of the operator for causing such latsired. In order that the hands of the operator may be free for manipulation of the work and for the placing of the dies in selected positions, it is preferable according to the present invention to provide treadle means for controlling thelateral swinging of the presser arm. In the illustrative construction, the power means for swinging the arm is derived from a belt 38 which passes around a pulley 40 which is integral with or securely attached to the power pulley 20 which is running continuously. Mounted upon a counter shaft 42 carried by the upper portion of the frame is a pulley 44around which extends the belt 38, whereby the shaft 42 is'driven continuously. Upon the. shaft 42 is a gear 46 constantly in mesh with a gear 48 fastened to shaft 50 carryingat its other end a friction clutch member 52 hav ing a beveled surface 54 for co-operation selectively with either one of two coneshaped friction clutches 56 and 58 respectively, which are secured to the same spindle 60. It will be understood that when the spindle is moved downwardly the upper cone 56 will be carried into contact with the friction clutch member 52, thereby rotating the spindle in one direction, whereas if the spindle is moved upwardly, the other cone member 58 will be carried into contact with the friction surface 54 and cause the rotation of the spindle in the opposite-direction. In the illustrative construction the spindle 60 is rotatably mounted at its opposite ends in a yoke member 62, hubs or bearings 64 and66 being provided at the ends of the yoke member for the reception of the spindle. As shown, a sleeve 68 .is mounted uponthe spindle 60 to space the cone members 56 and 58, a gear wheel 70 being also secured to the spindle and spaced by a collar 72 from the lower cone 58. Preferably, the cone members 56, 58 and the gear 70 areall fixedly secured to the spindle between an abutment 7 4 fixed to the spindle below the gear 7 Q and a washer 76 arranged to contact with the upper surface of the :upper cone member 56 and to be held fixedly in position by a nut 7 8 screwed on the spindle 60. For reducing the friction of the rotating spindle to a minimum there is provided at each of its ends a cup for receiving a ball bearing indicated at 80 and which is rotatable in acorrespondingly shaped cup provided in the hubs or bearings 64, 66 of the yoke member 62. In

on the slide 86 and on the other side of this same slide there is a rack bar 88, the teeth of which are constantly in mesh with a segmental rack 90 secured to a peripheral portion of the rear curved surface of the presser arm 6, the segmental rack being arranged in the arc of a circle so as to maintain contact with the rack bar 88. It willbe clear from an inspection of Fig. 2 that reciprocation of the slide 86 carrying the rack bar 88 will effect rotation of the arm 6 laterally over the work supporting bed.

For controlling the movements of the yoke member 62 and thus determining the-direction and extent of the movement of the presser arm 6 by the power means, there is provided a treadle lever 94 having two tread portions 96 and 98 respectively and mounted fixedly upon a rock shaft 100 carried rotatably by bearings 102 in the frame of the machine or upon brackets fixed to the floor beneath the machine. Fixed to the other end of the shaft 100 is an arm 104 having pivoted to its outer end a link 106, the upper end of which is secured to the yoke 62.

- Provision is made for supporting the yoke 62 and the spindle carried thereby in what may be termed a neutral position, that is, one in which neither of the conev members 56, 58 is engaged with the friction clutch member 52. As shown, the mounting referred to comprises a couple of bearings 108, 110 integral with or fixedly attached to the frame 14 of the machine and adapted to receive respectively bearing ends 112, 114 integral with or secured to the arms of the yoke member 62. Mounted in each bearing 108, 110 are springs 116, 118 which press upon the end faces of the bearings 112, 114 and are backed by adjustable plugs 120, 122 respectively, the arrangement being such that the sprin may be tensioned adjustably to maintain the spindle 60 andgthe attached cone members 56, 58 in the described neutral position.

Means is preferably provided for-disconnecting the power means for swinging the beam or presser arm from'the beam when the latter has reached a redetermined point in its movement towar either side of the work supportingbed so as to remove the possibility ofthe beam orarm striking the upright portion of the frame 14 while it is still power operated. In the construction shown, the slide 86, which is mounted in guideways 124 carried by brackets 126 secured to the frameof the machine, isv provided with wedge or cam surfaces 128, on opposite edges of the slide, which are operative to engage, one at'a time, the rolls 130 carried by extensions rigid with the yoke 62, the arrangement being such that the rolls 130 are spaced at distance equal to the width of the slide 86 at its narrowestlpart plus the height of the'two cams 128 on opposite sides of the slide 86. When one of the rolls is engaged with its co-operating cam 128 on the slide 86 in the manner described, the yoke and the spindle are-moved so that the cone members 56, 58 are in neutral position, that is, with neither of the cone members in contact with the friction clutch member 52.

Thus, when the slide 86 has been moved a predetermined distance. in. either direction the yoke and spindle are. moved.to disconnect the power means so that the, presser arm may continue .in movement under its own momentum until is brought to rest by strong spring as a backing so tensioned as to return the plunger 132 to its normally projecting position. It will be understood that the operator may swing the beam or presser arnrfreely without let or hindrance from the power means for swinging it so long as the treadle is not beingdepressed. Preferably the slide 86 is so constructed as to operate as a device for limiting the movementsof the spindle in both the up and down directions. In other words, the reducedportion of the slide 86 between the pairs of cam surfaces 128 is of such a width between the rollers 130 on the yoke 62 as to permit of movement of the spindle and perforce of the cones 56 and 58 to a predetermined extent and which is insufficient to allow of either cone 56 or 58' being jammed or wedgedinto locking contact with the inclined surface 54 on the friction clutch member 52. Hence, when the treadle is released by the operator the springs 116, 118 will operate to return the spindle and the cone members to neutral position.

In operating with the machine the presser arm is first moved to one side-so as to uncover the bed or block 4, thus enabling the operator to position the work thereon and to tions and to locate the die on the work.

The presser arm may then be started toward the selected positionof the die by power means if desired, simply by stepping on the tread portion 96. or 98. Ordinarily, the treadle will be operated with the idea of starting the presser arm toward operative position, overcoming its inertia and bringing it within reach of the hand of the operator. The foot will then be removed from the treadleandthe presser arm continued in motion through force applied by the operators hand which grasps the handle 34. The presser arm is, therefore, completely under control of the operator and by depression "of the same handle 34, a pressure single rotation causes the presser arm to descend to apply. pressure to the die and instantly returns the presser arm to its upper position of rest where it is spaced from the work and from the die. Thenthe operator can cause the arm to swing away from its position over the .work to either side of the bed by stepping on the proper treadle, his hands being free to manipulate the work in examination thereof and to pick up the die and to reposition it or to select another die in accordance with the requirements of the work. Preferably the power means is operative to swing the presser arm away from a middle position at the front of the bed through an arc of 60 on each side of said middle position. When the presser member reaches either end of the arc in its movement toward one side-or end of thebed, the power means is disconnected by operation of the proper cam 128 on the slide 86, and the presser member may continue under momentum until it is brought to rest by the buffer 132. However, the yoke and spin dle can be moved up or down as the case may be to connect the power means for moving the presser member backtoward the front of the bed. \Vhen the handle '34 on the presser member comes within reachof the operator, he removes his foot from the treadle and maintains the presser member in motion under direct manual control until it arrives in position over the die. Downward pressure on the handle 34 causes a pressure applying operation, after which the presser member is removed from position over the die by stepping on the proper treadle. In many of the operations the operator will maintain the treadle depressed a sufiicient length of time only to move the presser arm to one side of the recent field of operations and hence the presser arm may be moved promptly through a relatively short distance.

into operative position either directly by hand or by actuation of the proper treadle.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is y 1. In a machine of the, character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member mounted for ,movement laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, and

treadle-controlled means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed.

2. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member mounted for movement laterallyover the bed and also toward and'from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed, and two treadle parts for controlling said power means so arranged that said presser member may be moved laterally in either direction selectively upon actuation of the propertreadle part.

3. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member mounted for movement laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, and power means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed comprising a member operatively connected to the presser member and movable through distances which correspond directly to the extent of the movemerits-of the presser member, said member being provided with means for disconnecting the power when the presser member is moved beyond a predetermined point toward either side of the work supporting bed.

4.1a a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser arm mounted for movement laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, treadlecontrolled means for overcoming the inertia of the presser member and starting it in movement laterally over the bed, power means for reciprocating the presser member toward and from the bed, and a single means for causing manually controlled movement of the presser member laterally over the bed and for initiating operation of said power means.

5. In a machine of the character described, a 'work supporting bed, a presser arm mounted for movement laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed comprising a shaft arranged to be driven in opposite directions, and a double treadle for controlling said shaft so that said presser member may be moved laterally in either direction selectively upon actuation of the proper treadle.- I 6. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser arm movablelaterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for reciprocating the presser member toward and from the bed, power means for moving the presser member'laterally of the bed, a single means mounted on the presser member for controlling the same during lateral movements thereof and for initiating pressure applying operations of the presser member, and a treadle for controlling the power means for member mounted for movement laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, and power means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed comprising a rack member operatively connected to the presser member and provided with cam surfaces for disconnecting the power when the presser member has moved beyond a predetermined point toward either side of the work sup porting bed.

' 8. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member mounted for movement laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for moving the presser member later ally over the bed, and two manually operable members for controlling said power means so arranged that said presser member may be moved laterally in either direction'select'ively uponactuation of the proper controlling member.

9'. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member mounted laterally over the bed and i also toward and from the bed in pressure applying-operations, power means for movin the presser member laterally over the bed comprising a constantly driven friction clutch member, a shaft provided with a pairof cone friction members arranged to be selectively brought into contact with the friction' clutch member, a rack arranged to be driven by the power means, and cam members carried by the rack for disconnecting.

. the power from the presser member.

' 10. In a machine of the" character de scribed, a'work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for re from the bed,- power means for movingthe presser member laterally of the bed, a handle"on the presser'member for controlling the same during lateral movements thereof scribed, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the 'bed in pressure applying operations and movable laterally over the bed into and out of operative position, power means for-movineg the presser member laterally over the a manually operable member for controlling said power means associated with the,power means insuch manner that operative connection betweenthe power means and the presser member is maintained only. through continued pressure applied to the manually operable member,and means auclprocatmg the presser member toward and tomatically operative for disconnectingthe Power means from the presser member at' a the lateral movein pressure applying operationsand movable laterally over the bed into and out of operative position, power "means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed, a manually operable member for controlling said power means associated with the power means in such manner that operative connection between the power means and the presser member is maintained only through continued pressure applied to the manually operable member, and means automatically operative at a. predetermined point in the lateral movement of the presser member, to render the manually operable member in-- capable of. control of the power means while the presser member is-movingin-a given direction without affecting its con-1 trol of the same power means for moving the presser member-in another direction.

13. scribed, a work supporting bed, a presser In a machine of the character demember movable toward and from the bed i operative to disconnect the power means from the pressermember at a'predetermined point in the lateral movement of the latter,

the construction and arrangement being such that the presser member may continue under its momentum.

14. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable" toward and from the bed. in pressure applying operations and movable laterally over the bed into and out 'of operative position, power means for moving the pressermemberrlaterally over the bed, amanually operable member for controlling said power means, and means operative to disconnect the'power means from .the presser member at a predetermined point in the movement of the"presser-member laterally of the bed and for holdingsaid power means against re-connection for moving the presser member in the same direction'in which it ments of the presser member andholding it tomatically disconnecting the power means trolling said power means, and means operative to'disconnect the power means from the presser member at predetermined points in the movements of the presser member laterally of the bed and for maintaining said power mans inoperative to move the a manually operable member for controlling said power means, means for disconnecting the power means from the presser member at a predetermined point in the lateral movedisconnected so that the presser member may move in the same direction under 1ts momentum, the construction and arrangement being such that the power means may be reconnected to move the presser member in the opposite direction to relocate/11: preliminary to another pressure applying op- ,eration.

17. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations and movable laterally over the bed into and out of operative position, power means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed,

comprising a segmental rack secured to the presser member and a rack bar in constant mesh with the segmental rack, and cam members carried bythe rack bar for disconnecting the power means from the presser member at predetermined points inthe lateral movement of the presser member and for holding said power means disconnected, the construction and arrangement being such that the power means may be connected for moving the presser member in "the opposite direction.

18. In a machine of the character de scribed, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable overithe bed into and out of operative position and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means comprising an endwise movable shaft, means for rotating the shaft in opposite directions, connections between shaft to the presser member, means for aufrom the presser member and for holding it disconnected whereby the presser member may continue movement in the same direction under its momentum,'and means for connecting the power means for moving the presser member in the opposite direction.

19. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and.

also toward and from the bed in pressure applying ope-rations, power means for moving the presser member laterally of the bed comprising a segmental rack on the presser member, and a rack bar constantly-in mesh with the segmental rack, a cam member carried by the rack for causing disconnection of the power means from the presser member, and meansfor connecting the power means to return the pressermeinber to operative position.

20. In a machine of the character de scribed, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for moving the presser member laterally of the bed comprislng-an endwise movable shaft, a gear carried by the shaft, a segmental rack carried by the presser member, a rack constantly in mesh with both thegear and the segmental rack, and a manually operable member for causing endwise movement of the shaft whereby to connect the power means to the presser member, the construction and arrangement being such that said rack serves to limit the endwise movement of the shaft in either directon.

21.In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for moving the presser member away from operative position after a pressure applying operation, means for disconnecting said power means after the presser member has passed a predetermined point in its lateral movement and for holding the power means disconnected so that the presser member may move in the same direction under its momentum only, and means under the control of the operator for connecting the power means in such manner that the presser member is moved in the opposite direction to- Ward the front of the bed in repositioning it over a dieipreliminary to another pressure applying operation. 1

22. Ina machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable laterally over thebed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, power means for moving the presser member awayfrom operative position and toward oneside of the bed, meansfor disconnecting thepower means when the presser member has reached a pre determined point in its lateral movement toward one side of the bed, a treadle for connecting the power means tothe presser member to cause movement of the latter away from operative position, and a treadle for causing connection of the power means to return the presser member to operative position.

23. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member mounted for movement laterally over the bed and also towardand from the bed in pressure applying operations, and treadle operated means for, moving the presser member laterally over the bed.

24. In a machine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser arm mounted for movement laterally over the bed and also toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations, and means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed comprising a member operatively connected to the presser arm and movable through distances which correspond directly to the extent of the.movements' of the presser arm, means being provided for automatically, disconnecting said means when the presser arm is movedbeyond a predetermlned point toward one side of the work supporting bed thus permitting the presser arm thereafter to move under its momentum.

25. In amachine of the character described, a work supporting bed, a presser member movable toward and from the bed in pressure applying operations and movable latera'lly over the bed into and out of operative position, means for moving the presser member laterally over the bed, a manually operable member for controlling said moving means associated with the moving means in such manner that operative connection between ,the moving means and the presser member is maintained only through continued pressure applied to the manually operable member, and means automatically operative for disconnecting the moving means from the presser member at a predetermined point in the lateral movement of the latter.

26. In a machine of the character de-' toward one side of the work supporting bed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

FRED S. SHERMAN.- 

